mcgeath



(No Model.)

T. P. MQGRATH.

Latch.

Patented Nov. 2, 1880.

Inventor:

Wit sses:

NPEIERS. PHDTO-L1THDGRAPIIER. WASH TATES THOMAS F. MCGRATH, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JULIA M. MCGRATH, OF SAME PLACE.

LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,867, dated November 2, 1880.

Application filed J une 19, 1880.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS F. MoGRATH, of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Door-Locks and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap pertains to make and use the same,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification, in which Figure l is a side view of the lock with faceplate removed. Fig.2 is a face view of one of the escutcheons. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section of the lock applied to a door. Fig. 4 is an inner-side view of one of the knobs.

This invention has for its object the provision of an improved lock for doors which shall be simple in construction, easily manipulated, and capable of being made at a comparatively low cost.

The invention consists in the novel con- 2 5 struction, combination, and arrangement of parts whereby the retraction of the latch proper is effected through a downward movement of either knob instead of a rotation thereof, the knob-spindles being fulcrumed independently 0 and properly arranged and adjusted in relation to a peculiarly-shaped cam or rocker, so that a vertical movement of the spindle causes a backward movement of the cam or rocker and forces it against a movable arm attached 3 5 to the latch-bolt.

The invention also consists in the combination, with the latch and fulcrumed knob-spindles, of suitable springs ,for automatically lifting the knobs when released.

The invention lastly consists in the novel construction and method of applying and fastening the escutcheons in place.

My improvements are designed especially for that class of door-locks known as mortise-locksthat is, such as are embedded in the door and concealed when the latter is closed. The improvements are, however, applicable to other classes of locks.

Referring to the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, A designates the (No model.)

lock-case, and B the latch-bolt. In addition to the latter, the lock may be provided with a suitable key-bolt; but for ordinary purposes the latch-bolt will answer all requirements when supplemented, as shown, by one or more I tumblers, O, and catch D, the latter being operated by a key, D. Thefunotion of the catch is to prevent the latch from being retractedthat is, to lock it in place, and thus lock the door against all but the holder of the key.

In operation the catch 1) slides or plays in the rear of the latch-bolt head a, the latchbolt shank or continuation a. being properly diminished in thickness.

E E are the knobs, having independent spindles e c, pivoted, by means of horizontal fulcrum-pinsf, to external ears, g, cast on the escutcheons F F. Other and'diiferent bearin gs for the pins f may be provided, if desired.

On the inner sides of the escutcheons boxes h are cast, and formed with elongated slots 0r openings h, through which the knob-spindles pass and play. Springs I, located between the spindles and the upper ends of openings h, are compressed or bent when the knobs are depressed, and when the latter are released cause the knobs to rise.

The lock-case has openings K in its walls, through which the inner ends of the knobspindles pass, so as to fall below the shouldered 8o portion, head, or lower surface of a rocker, L, having trunnions l, by which it is fulcrumed in holes I in the lock-walls. The rear edge of said rocker lies at an angle with and impinges against a bar, M, pivoted at its lower end to the lock-case and at its upper end to the rear end of the latch-bolt shank. When either of the knobs is depressed its spindle rocks the rocker on its fulcrum and forces back the bar M, which in turn retracts the latch-bolt. A 0 spring, N, projects the bolt forward when the knob is raised. Near its inner end the shank of the latch-bolt is diminished in width to accommodate a dead-latch, n, which consists of a block pivoted to the lock-case and bifuroat- 5 ed or notched at W, so as to straddle the latchbolt shank. The deviceby which the dead-latoh is manipulated is a rod'extending toward the inner side of the door. WVhen the latch-bolt is forward and the door closed the turning I00 down of the dead-latch causes it to fall behind the shoulders o of'the latch-boltshank and prevents the opening of the door from the outside.

The form of the escutcheons is peculiar. One of them, F, is placed on the outside of the door and is cast with studse having screwsockets in their inner ends. These sockets pass through holes cut in the door and coincide with holes in the escutcheon F, through which pass the screws by which the two are held in place and fastened to the door. The object of this construction is to conceal the fastenings and render the parts more secure and inviolate, as well as to save labor and expense in fitting the lock to a door.

In order to bring the knob-shanks as close as possible to the escutcheons and cover the spindles, the shanks are formed with concave recesses 10,.embracin g the convex ears g.

My improvementsare applicable to rim-locks as well as to mortise-locks. When a rim-lock is used the escutcheon will not have the studs 6 but will be fastened to the door by long screws.

The advantages of the improvements described are apparent. The parts of heavy and roughly-made locks are rendered very easy of manipulation through the peculiar movement of the knob, while the liability to break or get out of order is very small. It is often found very difficult and even impossible to turn the ordinary knob, while mine may be depressed by the slightest exertion. as provision is made for utilizing allavailable leverage and relievin g the parts 'of friction.

Nearly every portion of the lock may be cast, and afterward requires but little finishing; hence, security and durability being of consequence, the parts requiring it may be made heavy and strong.

I do not claim to be thefirst to have deviated from the ordinary form of-rotary knob, as I am well aware thatother kinds have been patented and used.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The springs I, in combination with and arranged to impinge against the spindles c of the tilting knobs E, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the rocker L, tiltin g-knob spindle, and latch-bolt, of the pivoted bar M, substantially as described and shown.

3. The escutcheons cast, as shown, with the shank-receivin g boxes it, having pivoted lugs g, the walls of said boxes extending inwardly toward the lock-case, and the pivoted lugs projecting outwardly, as shown.

4:. The escutcheon F, cast with the shankreceiving box h, and with the internally-threaded fastening-studs e constructed and adapted to pass entirely through the door, asshown and set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS F. MOGRATH WVitnesses THos. A. GoNNoLLY, A. G. HEYLMAN. 

